• A rare opportunity appeared for outfielder Jason Bay, with Pittsburgh starting a left-hander. But Bay was scratched from the lineup due to stiffness in his back, a condition that had lingered after first being noticed on Monday.

Bay could return for today’s game. Pittsburgh will roll out another lefty, Jeff Locke. But he told Collins his back trouble had only gotten worse Tuesday.

On Saturday, Bay smoked a two-run homer off Marlins starter Mark Buehrle. It was his eighth homer of the season. He hasn’t played since.

• Jon Niese will make his final start of the season on Friday in Atlanta, Collins said.
The team has yet to decide whether R.A. Dickey will make his last appearance in the season finale in Miami or the day before against the Marlins.

• The Mets will host a benefit on Nov. 1 for Shannon Forde, a longtime member of the public relations staff who was diagnosed with breast cancer in August. Forde has continued to work while beginning treatment.

The dinner will be held at Westmount Country Club in Woodland Park, and will feature a silent auction. Ron Darling will emcee the event.

There will also be a separate autograph session with former Mets greats Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, John Franco, Bobby Ojeda, Edgardo Alfonzo, Al Leiter, Ed Charles and Ed Kranepool. Sean Landeta, the former Giants punter, will also be there.
Tickets for the dinner cost $100, and the autograph session costs $250. To purchase both costs $300. More information can be found at www.hopeshinesforshannon.com.

To make a donation, make a check payable to “Hope Shines For Shannon,” which can be sent to P.O. Box 3145, Point Pleasant, N.J. 08742.